What is davening?
Davening is the Yiddish word for praying — the everyday term many Jews use for reciting the Jewish prayer services. Jewish tradition sets three prayer times each day: Shacharit (morning), Mincha (afternoon), and Maariv (evening), each built around the central Amidah and, in the morning and evening, the Shema. To "daven" is to step into a daily rhythm of gratitude, request, and connection that Jews have kept for millennia.
What are the three daily prayer services?
- Shacharit (morning) — the longest service, including the Shema and the Amidah.
- Mincha (afternoon) — a shorter service centered on the Amidah.
- Maariv / Arvit (evening) — the night service, with the Shema and Amidah. On Shabbat and holidays, an additional Musaf service is added.
How do you start davening as a beginner?
You don't need to do everything at once. Begin by learning the meaning of a few anchor prayers — the Shema and the opening of the Amidah — and pray those with intention (kavanah). Use a siddur with translation, build slowly, and remember that consistency and understanding matter more than speed or volume. Even a few honest minutes is davening.
In short: davening is Jewish prayer — the three daily services (morning, afternoon, evening) built around the Shema and the Amidah. Start small, with understanding.
Learn to pray with meaning through Derekh Learning
Derekh explains the prayers and their meaning in a voice that fits you, so davening becomes connection, not recitation. Start learning or read what the siddur is.
